Former Walsall captain Andy Butler has been named first-team manager of Scunthorpe United, following the club's disappointing 2023/24 campaign.40-year-old Butler, who made over 180 first-team appearances across two spells in WS1, will replace Jimmy Dean at the helm as the Iron look to make an impact in 2024/25.
The former central defender is no stranger to Scunthorpe, having enjoyed three spells with the club, with his most recent visit seeing him form part of the club’s academy set-up as Youth Development Phase Coach, he moved over to the first team in June 2023 following the departure of Michael Nelson.
Over the course of his career, the former Iron academy graduate played in excess of 700 games, including 174 for the Iron, and was still playing for Farsley Celtic when he returned to the club’s youth set-up. Last season, alongside his coaching role, he also played in the Lincolnshire Senior Cup across all three fixtures, scoring in the quarter-final win over Gainsborough Trinity, before captaining the side to victory over Spalding United in the final.
Butler has also had management experience with one of his other former clubs, Doncaster Rovers. He was appointed manager of their women’s team in January 2020, with his role with the Belles held until he returned to the Iron. During that time, he also had a spell as caretaker with the men’s first team at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Congratulations, Andy!
Main image: Scunthorpe United.